It is hard to find anyone who would disagree that at last year’s Wrestlemania, the show was stolen by the wrestling clinic put on by Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. It’s not surprising either, both performers are veterans of the ring with careers spanning over two decades each. Now the two legendary performers will look to up the ante one more time in a rematch at this year’s Wrestlemania.
Of course, the WWE always strive to take their Wrestlemania event one step further, and as such have placed two stipulations on the match. This year there will be no count-outs and no disqualifications. Each competitor will be able to tear each other apart while the referee looks on helplessly, and when it’s all over one of the competitors will have lost more than just the match.
Career vs. Streak
In a move to garner more interest in both the match and the event, the major stipulation surrounding this match is that if The Undertaker loses, then it will spell the end of his 17-0 undefeated streak at the Wrestlemania event. A loss after two decades of perfection at the WWE’s grand extravaganza would undoubtedly be a bitter pill to swallow, but Michaels isn’t going in with nothing to lose this time around. While The Deadman will put up his streak, Micheals will be putting up his career.
Internet news and rumours have spent the last few weeks speculating heavily on the implication of this stipulation. Is this simply for storyline purposes, or is Shawn Michaels seriously intending to retire from wrestling following Wrestlemania 26?
‘Career Ending’ Matches
Of course, losing your career doesn’t always mean anything so final in the WWE. Not too long ago The Undertaker put his career on the line against Edge’s World Heavyweight Championship in a ladder match. The Undertaker ultimately lost the bout and was forced to retire, and while the internet was again rife with rumour that The Undertaker had wrestled his last match, he returned several months later, getting his revenge on Edge and regaining his title. Will this be the case with HBK?
What is being reported on various wrestling news websites is that Shawn Michaels has been telling those close to him that he does intend to retire after Wrestlemania 26. HBK recently had another child with his wife and has been expressing a wish to spend more time with his family. The WWE travelling schedule is rather gruelling and leaves its performers little time to spend at home. However, this is reminiscent of news reported in previous years, which lead to Michaels’ ‘extended time off’, returning months later.
The only difference this year is the stipulation surrounding The Undertaker/Shawn Michaels rematch, that the match has been billed as a Career vs. Streak bout. The question is why such a point would be made regarding Shawn Michaels career if he did not intend to leave. Even if the leave he is set to take isn’t indefinite, then his absence would still undoubtedly give some of the younger talent time to rise up the ranks. The WWE has a whole pool of up and coming talent just waiting for their opportunity to shine, much better than any other time recently.
The Streak That Will Not End
All that can be said is that it is almost a given that The Undertaker’s streak will not end at Wrestlemania 26. The Undertaker is a long standing and respected performer, and it is believed that his streak has been promised to remain until his retirement by Vince McMahon. As much pull as Shawn Michaels is said to have backstage, The Undertaker equals that.
Whatever the future reveals itself to be, the match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker will undoubtedly be ‘the one to watch’. If there can be any improvement on perfection, these two performers can do it.
Wrestlemania 26 airs on 28th March, 2010.
Daniel Crudge - Daniel is a graduate from the London, University of Westminster, where he achieved a Bachelar of Arts Degree in Creative Writing and ...
